The Staff Learning Programme provides an on-site programme of position-related, non-formal, short skills courses for PASS staff and Academic staff (for that part of the Academic role that deals with administration and management). The programme has been designed to build competencies, capabilities, skills and knowledge to address the most common position-related learning and development needs.

The programme is informed by feedback from and participation in previous years, as well as the development needs as identified during the Development Dialogue process.

All UCT staff members are eligible to attend our courses. Certain courses are for certain groups of staff only, details of which are included in the course descriptions in the Staff learning and development resource guide. This ensures that the right people attend the right courses, and that the group of people on a course do similar work. This means that the learning is more effective and easier to transfer back into the workplace.

What courses should I attend?

For learning and development to be effective and sustained, there should be a link between the course or learning and development intervention and the position requirements that need to be fulfilled. For Academics, these learning and development needs are usually identified during performance planning and performance reviews.

For PASS staff, these are usually identified during the Development Dialogue (DD) process of identifying Key Performance Areas (KPAs), setting objectives, selecting competencies, and drawing up a development plan.

Many of the courses offered address a certain competency or group of competencies, or deal with a certain SASP criterion. For the development intervention to have a meaningful effect on position performance, you will need to ensure that the course identified addresses the competency (identified during the performance planning or objective setting process) or SASP criterion that needs to be developed in order to meet objectives.

Is there a cost involved?

There is no charge for attending these courses. However a "no-show" or "late cancellation" cost is charged to the staff member's department when a booked place is not taken up or where a participant cancels within 5 working days of a course and no replacement can be found. These costs are detailed on the Staff Learning Programme course calendar.

Do I get a certificate for attending these courses?

You will receive a 'Certificate of Attendance' for attending these courses.

Some of the courses are SETA accredited and so you could be awarded a 'Certificate of Competency' and be awarded the relevant number of credits for the relevant unit standard at the relevant NQF level. However attendance at these courses is not sufficient to be awarded the credits. You would have to complete an assessment against the relevant unit standard, over and above attending the course. Should you wish to undergo assessment for an accredited course, please contact the Staff Learning Centre. Courses that are accredited, and the details of the credits, unit standard and NQF level, are detailed in the Staff learning and development resource guide.

Other courses award certificates of competence against their own or other quality body standards, such as the Advanced Driving Course. These are detailed under the course listing in the the Staff learning and development resource guide.

Are there changes to the programme during the year?

Upon occasion we offer additional repeat workshops or make small changes to the programme depending on demand. We also do occasionally cancel courses where there are very few bookings.

Most courses are held at the Staff Learning Centre (Cambria House, Middle Campus - see map). Limited parking is provided at Cambria House, so please make use of parking area P4 (seen in block I3 on the map).

CHEC, HELM, HERS-SA and the Scientific and Technical courses are held off site, but you will be advised accordingly upon registration.

Are refreshments and meals provided?

Refreshments are provided at all courses, and a light lunch is provided where the workshop spans a full day. Any special dietary requirements are catered for, but please clearly indicate as such on your registration form.

Can arrangements be made for other special requirements?

Should you have a disability that may require special arrangements (such as wheelchair access or sign-language Interpretation), or indeed require any other special arrangements, please clearly indicate as such on your registration form. Please also make direct contact with us well before the start of the course to finalise the arrangements.

How do I book?

Prior, confirmed booking is required for all course attendance. Course bookings are done online using the online course booking form. Once this has been submitted, you will receive an email confirming your booking. If you do not receive this confirmation, please contact the Staff Learning Centre, as we may not have received your booking.

Remember to submit a separate form for each course you would like to attend.

By submitting a booking form you are confirming that your line manager knows about and supports your attendance, and that the fund holder is aware of and authorises any costs incurred.

Please note that many of the courses have closing dates and selection processes. Please ensure that you submit your bookings and selection tasks timeously, otherwise we may not be able to accommodate you on the course.

Places are limited on all courses. Should a course be fully booked, we are happy to keep your name on a waiting list in case we receive a cancellation. Please contact the Courses Co-ordinator if you wish to be placed on the waiting list.